The Princess Slave
Chapter 51

Viktor POV

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked. I could tell I was making her feel very self-conscious. In all reality.. I was just admiring how happy she can be in a world full of hate.

“Am I not allowed to look at you?” I asked. She looked away and watched the fireworks. I’d have to say she looks absolutely breathtaking standing here before me. I’d never really noticed how she basically glowed when she was happy..

“I didn’t say that..” she said softly. Her eyes fell for a moment to watch the people down below.

“If you’d like to go down there.. you may.” I said.

“But what about you?” She asked as she looked back at me. Goddess.. why does she have to be so.. I need to stop. I can’t do that.

“I’ll be fine,” I said. No, I won’t.. I didn’t want her to go, but I didn’t want to keep her from going if that’s what she wanted.

“May I stay?” She asked. I nodded my head as I fought back the smile I’d shown her fat too many times tonight.

“If that is what you wish,” I said. She nodded as she leaned over the balcony railing.

I stood next to her as we watched the fireworks. My mind raced with conversations we could have.. but my mouth wouldn’t speak a word.

I’m cursed. No mate, no words.. a world of pain, a world of inflicting it.

“May I ask you a question?” She asked after a while.

“Yes,” I said.

“Do you ever think about your mate?” She asked. Her question blindsided me.. the only person I ever think about is her. I hated to admit it, but it was the truth. My mate was so far out of reach.. but Violette? She’s right here.

“Rarely. You know the history.. replaceing my mate is a slim chance.” I said. She nodded.

“I’m sorry for that.” She said. I shook my head.

“Don’t be.. you weren’t the one who did it.” I said.

“No.. but my family did.” She said as she looked up at me with her big, hazel colored eyes.

“Look.. I’ve come to realize that you are not your family. Sometimes I wonder if it’s true, but every time I see you I’m reminded it’s not. You’re nothing like I’d anticipated.” I said.

She didn’t say anything else and frankly, I didn’t know what to say either.

We were silent for a minute before I came up behind her and grabbed her h**s. I pressed myself against her, dipping my face into her neck and taking a deep breath. I could get used to this. To her scent.. the feel of her pressed against me.

I heard her heart quicken but she didn’t say a word.

After a while, the fireworks stopped and everyone began to pack up and leave.

“I should probably get down there and help.” She said softly as she turned around. She looked up at me, her eyes slowly falling on my lips. I couldn’t help it as I leaned in just to taste her one last time before the night ended.

My tongue ran across her bottom l*p, seeking entrance into her mouth. She obliged and I swirled my tongue around hers, devouring her delicate taste.. goddess.. she’s perfect in every way.

“I’ll walk you,” I said against her lips. I packed them one last time before I pulled away. I mind-linked Loren to send someone to gather our mess and I walked her down the stairs.

She walked behind me.. not too far away but not close enough. I opened the door to outside and let her go through.

She looked back at me once, and I thought for a moment she would say something but she shook her head and turned around. I watched her run to Beatrice to see what she could do to help out.

Goddess..

I hate myself.

Why couldn’t I have just said the things on my mind? I wanted so badly to express how I feel towards her.. but at the same time, I’m afraid to scare her away. What if she doesn’t feel the same?

I turned around and made my way to my chambers. I repeated every detail about tonight in my mind.. over and over until it was seared into my brain. I didn’t want to forget. It had been the first time in a long time that I’d actually enjoyed myself.

No anger, no frustration, no sadness. It was a relief to see it was still possible. But I knew somehow, anything that included her would always be a good experience.

As I made my way to my chambers, I felt a sense of panic and then a mind link opened.

“My King! Violette has gone!” Loren said frantically through the link.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I stopped dead in my tracks as I waited for his reply.

“She was cleaning up.. I turned my back, and when I looked for her she wasn’t there..” he said. My heart sank into the pits of my stomach.

“Send out a search party. Find her.” I growled. I quickly ran out of the castle, trying to follow her scent but it was almost untraceable.

Where has she gone? Did she run? Surely not..

A group of my guards began searching as I did. I’d noticed a pile of blankets laying messily on the ground, closer to the forest.. the ground was broken up as if there’d been a struggle. I quickly ran into the woods, mind-linking Loren to have them follow.

I didn’t see or hear anything.. not a single scent either. It confused me.. but then I remembered the masking scent I’d given Cedric. I heard the snap of a stick, my ears leading me farther from the castle until I saw something on the ground. I leaned down to pick it up when I realized it was the bow from her hair.

I let out a growl as I scoured the area, my heart thumping hard in my chest. I turned around when I heard a heartbeat.. and then another, and that was when I felt a sharp stab in my chest.

I looked down, but there was no wound. What is going on?

“Vik-“ I heard her b***d-curdling scream cut off and I ran towards it. I’d almost shifted, but the sight I stumbled upon made my heart stop entirely.

“King Arthur sends his regards.” The man said as he dragged the silver knife across Violette’s throat. I let out a loud roar as I shifted in an instant and lunged at him. He dropped Violette to the ground as she held her throat.. gurgling on her own b***d.

I grabbed him by his head and shoved my claws into his chest.. using his torso to hold him as I ripped his head off. I kicked his body out of my hand and dropped his head to the ground with a hard thud.

I turned around, shifting back to human form, and quickly ran to Violette who was still choking on her own b***d.

“Shh.. Shh. I got you.” I picked her up and began running to the castle.

“My king, we can’t replace Vio-“ Loren cut off when he saw Violette laying limply in my arms.

“Get Beatrice!” I growled. I took off toward the castle running past several confused onlookers.. Beatrice met me at the front of the yard and gasped.

“Oh my goddess, let’s get her to the infirmary.” She said. We rushed inside, Violette’s b***d creating a trail as we ran to the infirmary.

Beatrice opened the door and I put her on the first bed I saw. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her as I held pressure to her throat.. trying hard not to cut off her oxygen but still trying my best to slow the b***d flow.

“What happened?” Beatrice cried as she gathered supplies.

“Her Father,” I growled.